Lt Lewis confirmed "KKK" - an apparent reference to the white supremacist group, the Ku Klux Klan - was smeared on the bonnet of her car.

She said Moffitt had described her attackers in her emergency call as wearing white hoods or hats. Earlier rumours Moffitt's assailants had been provoked by the fact she was wearing an Obama T-shirt were dismissed.

Moffitts sister Michelle, who rushed to her aid, says the word "n*****" was also written on her car.